Australian Government backs Rugby Australia’s bid to host the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Australia is in the running to host the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, with an official bid to be submitted to World Rugby on 10 August 2018.

Minister for Sport, Senator Bridget McKenzie joined the CEO of Rugby Australia Raelene Castle to announce $300,000 in funding from the Coalition Government to support the bid.

Minister McKenzie said the Governments support for the bid showed a clear commitment to women’s rugby and to women’s sport more broadly.

“Participation and interest in women’s sport continues to increase around Australia, and where better to host the Women’s World Cup than here in the greatest sporting nation on earth” Minister McKenzie said.

“It would be a major coup by Rugby Australia to bring the Women’s World Cup to our shores and will be an opportunity to showcase our regions and our players on an international stage.

“Australia knows how to deliver world class sporting events and I know, if successful, we will deliver a tournament like no other.”

The 12 team, 35-day event is the pinnacle tournament for women’s XV Rugby and draws in spectators from around the world.

If Rugby Australia’s bid is successful, it will be the first time the Women’s World Cup has been held in the Southern Hemisphere.

Our National Women’s Rugby team the Wallaroos have competed in every Women’s World Cup since 1998.

Women’s Rugby has thrived over the past decade with more than 50 nations now involved in the game and over 2.2 million women playing each year across both across the traditional 15 player format and sevens competition.

World Rugby is expected to make a decision on the winning bid in November.